September 20, 2011

Depending on who returns for the 2012 season, Georgia could field a very interesting team overall. Assuming no NFL departures, we return 7 starters on offense and 9 on defense. We lose 3 offensive linemen and Figgins on offense plus Tyson and Boykin on defense.

The biggest question mark for the 2012 season will be the offensive line and special teams. The biggest specific area of concern is offensive tackle. It's damn bad luck when your program loses three elite left tackle recruits in three consecutive classes. Sturdivant was injured, Benedict was lost to rehab related arguments and Long isn't an offensive tackle following his injuries.

I really wish the coaches would consider bulking up Artie Lynch a bit more and trying him at OT. He's already 275 lbs with great feet. Adding another 15 pounds isn't asking that much. Move him before the bowl game, and he would have time to learn the position. Besides, UGA has a good history of moving high school and college tight ends to the offensive line.

We would be thin at TE, but it's a dramatically easier to find tight ends than offensive tackles. Especially considering we have plenty of plays that call for zero tight ends in the formation, but no plays that call for less than two offensive tackles.

What's in it for Artie? NFL tight ends make a helluva lot less in the NFL than OTs.

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comments:

Anonymous
said...

Losing Justin Anderson is a net plus if he is replaced by anyone other than a true freshman. Kid is having a rough year, but maybe he can get better. Will give him credit for run blocking if his task is to take out the dude in front of him.

Paul,Good read and very interesting. Gotta do something and this sounds decent. Only thing is most OT's are now 320-340. Likely Arthur would need 35 pounds,but considering his heart he could do it.Aladawg

Unfortunately, if I'm a kid currently on this team that has NFL aspirations, I look at what UGA's done with guys like Richard Samuel and Kiante Tripp and I shudder with fear if they ask me to move anywhere.

I'm sorry, but as much as that move would make sense, I have zero confidence that it would be done correctly. I can't even begin to tell you how much it bothers me to type that sentence.

Do not want. Let's use the recruits we've got at the positions they're prepared to play. Maybe if we spent a redshirt year getting Lynch ready to play OT, it'd be possible. But we spent his redshirt year getting him ready to play TE - and we might need him for depth if Charles leaves.